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The specifications for the W222 S600 have leaked early and there are some interesting technical pieces to note. The first of which is that the S600 has the exact same M279 twin turbo V12 as the W222 S65 AMG. Unlike in the previous W221 generation S-Class the twin turbo V12 does not get a displacement reduction for S600 duty. Additionally, AMG now assembles all the twin turbo Mercedes-Benz engines meaning the S600 has a hand built AMG V12.

This V12 is severely detuned in the S600 however. Rather than the 630 horsepower of the S65 AMG the S600 has exactly 100 horses less at 530. Why? Well, because how else would one justify the price difference between an S600 and S65 AMG for the exact same motor? The average buyer will not know the S600 and S65 share the same AMG engine. A simple ECU tune and the S600 and S65 should be identical in engine output.

Mercedes does make a very significant change in the transmission for the S600. The S63 AMG and S65 AMG both have AMG Speedshift MCT 7-speed transmissions. The S600 gets the 7G-Tronic plug transmission which unlike the MCT uses a torque converter. The MCT replaces the torque converter with wet clutch packs. Why the change? Good question, BenzBoost does not know the answer but speculates it is to protect the S65 AMG performance advantage due to the MCT shift speed giving the S65 a sportier character.

If one wants S65 AMG performance but for far less money, the S600 with an aftermarket tune actually sounds like a value. The S63 AMG is likely the best option of the bunch though saving considerable weight thanks to its M157 V8 and offering a more modern engine design.

I'd also say they uses the 7G instead of the MCT because of smoothness. Let's be honest most people buying an S600 are gray haired gentlemen that don't want their shaken martinis to move during gear shifts :p. The MCT is pretty smooth on gear shifts in comfort mode but still not the slushy smoothness of a auto. Also when starting in first gear or second in comfort mode the auto is much smoother the MCT as a DCT is a lot more direct and can be a bit grabby.

I'd also say they uses the 7G instead of the MCT because of smoothness. Let's be honest most people buying an S600 are gray haired gentlemen that don't want their shaken martinis to move during gear shifts :p. The MCT is pretty smooth on gear shifts in comfort mode but still not the slushy smoothness of a auto. Also when starting in first gear or second in comfort mode the auto is much smoother the MCT as a DCT is a lot more direct and can be a bit grabby.

A 1000+ whp s65 coupe would be insane with mct. The auto in the previous gen is really a turnoff. 5 gears? Low redline? No thanks. It's a cool car, but not sporty enough. These new updates are really attractive.

A 1000+ whp s65 coupe would be insane with mct. The auto in the previous gen is really a turnoff. 5 gears? Low redline? No thanks. It's a cool car, but not sporty enough. These new updates are really attractive.

The S63 Coupe really makes more sense if you are looking for a sportier character.

Just saw this thread...I thought I saw in several other places that the S65 was getting a Speedshift'd 7G-Tronic...is there any other sources reporting it as getting the MCT? That would be...beyond awesome. Also...didn't realize the 600 was now getting the 6.0...should be majorly under stressed now. I would hazard a guess that there might still be some significant differences though. I know between the 5.5 and the AMG 6.0 there was quite a few differences...stronger pistons, rods, bigger turbos, better manifolds, much bigger ICs, oil squirters, more aggressive tune of course, might have been some light headwork, basically a bunch of stuff. I wonder if the new "detuned" 6.0 is gimped at all vs. the AMG version...I would't be surprised if it was. Turbos might at least be smaller, or at least less efficient at higher RPMs.

I know between the 5.5 and the AMG 6.0 there was quite a few differences...stronger pistons, rods, bigger turbos, better manifolds, much bigger ICs, oil squirters, more aggressive tune of course, might have been some light headwork, basically a bunch of stuff. I wonder if the new "detuned" 6.0 is gimped at all vs. the AMG version...I would't be surprised if it was. Turbos might at least be smaller, or at least less efficient at higher RPMs.

It seems to be just software but the 600 and 65 also have a different transmission.

It seems to be just software but the 600 and 65 also have a different transmission.

Alright, very interesting. At least you get an AMG engine in even the standard car now. I really wonder what the differences in spec are between this engine and the one they build for the Huyara. I know dry sump, but that's all I know for sure. It's gotta have better heads I would think, but who knows. Of course they still quote the same BS torque figure of 1000 Nm/738 pound-feet, I don't buy that for a second. It's gotta be quite a bit more. I wonder if you ask super-nicely, and write a big enough check to the Performance Studio, that they might build you an x65 with a Huyara motor....stranger things have happened.

I really wonder what the differences in spec are between this engine and the one they build for the Huyara. I know dry sump, but that's all I know for sure. It's gotta have better heads I would think, but who knows

It's probably just the block that remains the same. I'd think they change everything just about.

Originally Posted by leveraged sellout

I wonder if you ask super-nicely, and write a big enough check to the Performance Studio, that they might build you an x65 with a Huyara motor....stranger things have happened.

That one is about more than just money. It's also about who you know. I'm guessing a German politician could get one...

Yeah you're right actually I did read that. The engine is largely changed, although I would imagine at least the crank, rods and maybe even pistons would be fine since those are pretty much bulletproof as-is. And of course the MB cars get those nasty exhaust manifolds too. No way the Huayra uses those. Someday when I'm richer than sh*t (but hopefully before this engine goes away for good) I'm going to try to inquire about the possibility of this happening...for science of course